Father Figures
So I work with the middle school ministry at my church, which is a difficult, but incredibly rewarding job. Lately, some of our girls have been hanging around some older kids that are just not good examples in their life. Tonight, our middle school youth minister talked to them about the choices that they’re making and expressed his worry towards the people they were hanging out with. He told them that even though he wasn’t their father, he loved them like one. These girls started breaking down and crying. On the ride home, they told me all about the lack of parental discipline in their lives, and specifically the lack of a father figure. None of them have ever really had a father in their life who could pour love into them or assume a protective role in their lives. Some of them didn’t have a father in the picture at all. They said no male in their lives had ever told them how a guy should treat them or given them advice on how to act towards guys their age. One act of disciplinary love changed these girls and made them think a lot. I was heartbroken for them. I take for granted the amazing God-fearing father I have in my life, who has taught me so much. Through this whole situation, I was able to tell these girls about the unfailing love of God; how He loves us and we are His children. How he rebukes and corrects us out of love. How he never changes, never leaves, and never gives up on us. How His love for us is unconditional. And that made me think; I take for granted the Father’s love for me as well. I’m overwhelmed and amazed by God tonight, and his unfailing love. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1
